Composition for removing decalcomanias



Patented Aug. 9, 1949 COMPOSITION FOR REMOVING DECALCOMANIAS George it. ltaub,,Sr., and George R. Raub, J12, Detroit, Mich.

'No. Drawing. :ApplicationNovember 4, 1946,

Serial N0.-707,762

This invention relates: broadly to chemical compositions and more particularly toa composition for removing decalcomanias of the mucilage type. I V

An important object of the invention is to provide a composition of the above-mentioned character which will remove decalcomanias rapidly and efficiently without appreciably injuring or adversely affecting the surface. from which the same is removed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a composition of the above-mentioned character that flows readily and can be applied easily to the decalcomania.

Still another object. of the invention is to provide a composition of the above-mentioned character that can be readily-removed, together with the decalcomania, by washing with fresh water.

Yet another object of the'invention-is to provide a composition of .the above mentioned character which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

Conventional decalcomanias have a base of thin, transparent, plastic sheet material. The design is impressed on one surface of this sheet material and usually is formed by one or more suitably colored lithographic inks or other organic coatings. A film of mucllage is then applied over thedesignand the surrounding surface of the sheetmaterial and a protective backing of paper or the like usually is placed over the mucilage.

In use, the decalcomania is first soaked in water to soften the mucilage undercoat and then slid off of the paper backing onto the surface to be decorated. Whenthe-mucilagedries, it holds the decalcomania firmly in place and since the plastic base material is impervious to water it is not readily remove'd'by Washing with soap or other sufficiently 'mild cleaning compounds. Decalcomanias of thistype often are applied as decorations to furniture and the like and the problem frequently arises of removing them without damaging, discoloring, staining, or otherwise adversely affecting the finished surface to which it is applied.

We have discovered a composition which removes decalcomania of the above type cleanly and effectively without appreciably harming varnished or other finished surfaces. The composition is applied merely by spreading it over 2 Claims. (01. 252 -1s4 the decalcomania and progressively dissolves the outer skin of plastic, the layers of organic coating which form the design, and the mucilage which holds the decalcomania on the surface. This action is exceedingly rapid so that the decalcomania can be removed within a few minutes after the composition is applied. Removal is best effected by Washing with clear water and the nature of the composition is such that it is cleanly removed in this manner.

Although it may be used in liquid form, the composition preferably is usedas a paste in order to give the active ingredients time to function properly before evaporation'occurs. In addition, the paste carrier holds the ingredients in intimate contact with the decalcomania and prevents them from running on vertical or oblique surfaces. Also, since the ingredients are only slightly miscible with each other, the paste carrier assures a homogeneous product having uniform properties.

Considered in its broader aspects the composition comprises a, ketone having less than six carbon atoms, ethyl acetate, and either methyl acetate or water. The primary function of the ketone is to dissolve or soften the outer plastic film. When the structure of this film is-sufiiciently broken down, the ethyl acetate attacks and dissolves the lithographic inks or other coatings Which form the design; and, after the latter is dissolved, the methyl acetate or water softens the mucilage sufficiently so that the decal'comania can be'easily washed away with clear water. In this connection, however, it should be noted that the primary functions of the several components are 'not due'entlrely to the physical and chemical properties of the individual materials, but each appears to be infiuenced and aided in its'action by the presence of the other materials in the mixture.

Table I below shows maximum and minimum percentage ranges byvolumewhich give "satisfactorily rapid action from a commercial standpoint and yet cause no appreciable damage to the varnished or other finished surfaces.

1 One must be present if the other is entirely absent.

The above table is empirical and shows only the active ingredients of the composition; via,

those ingredients which dissolve or otherwise attack parts of the decalcomania and thus are effective in the actual dissolution and removal of the decalcomania itself. If the ingredients are present in amounts substantially less than the minimum amounts specified, they either are in-- effectual to accomplish the desired results or they accomplish it so slowly as to be impractical from a commercial standpoint. On the other hand, if the ketone or either of the two acetates are present in amounts greater than the maximum amounts specified, they are liable to affect varnished or other finished surfaces.

The percentage ranges given in Table I above represent extreme limits which are operative for the wide variety of surfaces on which decalcomanias are used. However, for most purposes, and particularly for use on highly finished or varnished surfaces, all four ingredients should be present and they should be held within the volume limits set forth in Table 11 below:

Table II Percent Acetone 10-15 Ethyl acetate 5-20 Methyl acetate 5-20 Water 30-75 The ketone component of the composition may be any simple or mixed ketone having not more than six carbon atoms or a mixture of these ketones. However, of all the ketones in this group, acetone has been found the most satisfactory both from a commercial and a functional standpoint. As suggested, when the composition is adapted for commercial use, the ingredients preferably are incorporated in an inert paste carrier in order to insure a homogeneous mixture and to maintain the same in a form suitable for application to vertical, oblique or curved sur- 1. Waxes. V

2. Fats and oils.

3. Clays and earths.

4. Chalks and. analogous substances.

The waxes (class 1 above) may be mineral, vegetable or animal and paraffin wax, carnauba wax and beeswax are specific examples of each of these genera. Any of the commercially available clays and earths, including volcanic clays, may be used. Of all these substances, bentonite is perhaps the most suitable since it is not harmful to any type of surface, is readily removable with water, is in large quantities and is relatively inexpensive.

The following speciflc composition is representative of the invention and contains the ingredients in amounts which actual tests have shown to be best suited for all practical purposes. In this connection, however, it should be noted that any suitable amount of the carrier can be used. Manifestly, sufficient carrier must be present to absorb all of the liquid components, but it should not be used in such large amounts that the active ingredients are dispersed too thinly. If too little carrier is used, the active components are not held properly in association therewith and'if excessive amounts of carrier are used, the active ingredients become slow acting and the composition is impractical from a commercial standpoint. Optimum proportions vary with the particular carrier used and can be easily determined by simple tests.

the amount of water used In operation, the composition is merely spread on the decalcomania either manually or with a suitable dauber. Care should be exercised to cover the entire decalcomania but it need not be thickly coated 'to assure quick and efficient action. After a few minutes, the surface is flushed with clear Water to remove both the decalcomania, and the composition. The flushing operation leaves the surface clean and undamaged.

Havin thus described the invention, we claim:

1. A composition for removing decalcomanias comprising from about 10% to about 15% by volume of acetone; from about 5% to about 20% by Volume of ethyl acetate; from about 5% to about 20% by volume methyl acetate; and from about 30% to about by volume of water.

2. A composition for removing decalcomanias comprising about 4 parts by volume of acetone; about 5 parts by volume of ethyl acetate; about 4 parts by volume of methyl acetate; and about 16 parts by volume of Water, all of said materials homogeneously dispersed in bentonite as a carrier.

GEORGE R. RAUB, SR. GEORGE R. RAUB, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,211,129 Klinkenstein Aug. 13, 1940 2,364,281 Elllnger Dec. 5, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 742,090 France Dec. 21, 1932 

